Addressing the Illegal Killing of Birds (IKB)

Birds are the best indicators of ecosystem health with some of them migrating between Europe and Africa every year. However, during migration, most of them are targeted and killed by local communities, mainly for food and as a source of income, affecting their population. To address this challenge, Nature Tanzania is implementing a program to reduce the Illegal Killing of Birds (IKB) in Tanzania.

Nature Tanzania is implementing a project to address the illegal killing of birds (IKB) in Central Tanzania, funded by the NABU International Foundation. The project operates in the Kongwa and Mpwapwa districts in the Dodoma region and is supported by the Nature and Biodiversity
Conservation Union (NABU), NABU International Foundation and Niedersächsischer Landesbetrieb
für Wasserwirtschaft, Küsten- und Naturschutz (NLWKN). The project addresses the illegal killing of birds, significantly threatening migrant and resident bird populations and biodiversity. It works very close with communities, including former bird hunters as well as Kongwa and Mpwapwa district governments.

The project addresses IKB through nature education, sports, bird monitoring (resident, Palearctic, and intra-African migrants), and supporting alternative livelihood and income-generating activities. Because income is the main IKB driver, bird hunters (primarily youths) were organised into two football teams in the Kongwa and Mpwapwa districts, Dodoma region. The alternative livelihood programs are therefore implemented by former bird poachers, primarily youths, who are now organized into football teams.

The two football teams were supported with beekeeping and pig farming projects, and in return, they support bird conservation. Under the two football teams, 95 youths (49 females) are implementing beekeeping. Between July and September 2024, more than 350 kg of honey was harvested and sold out, generating revenue of Tsh 3,500,000.

42 former bird hunters (14 females and 20 youths) are implementing pig farming. They started with 14 pigs, and so far, two pigs gave birth to 15 piglets, making 29 pigs. During the reporting period, Tshs 1,400,000 was generated by selling four pigs. The youths plan to construct another pig house and expand their business, including venturing into goat and sunflower farming. The youths also raise awareness of nature conservation during football competitions/games, including IKB –more than 1,500 youths have been reached.

The IKB program also supported two women groups (32 members) to establish chicken farming,
starting with 50 chickens. We also recorded project replication at the village level, e.g., two
community members at Msagali village adopted the beekeeping project (10 modern beehives),
and two other groups in Manungu and Msagali villages have started goat farming projects with
1 and 6 goats, respectively.

Project replication at the community level

To ensure our piloted models are replicated at the wide community level, we continue to promote the replication of sustainable alternative livelihood projects. A key milestone in this is Mr. Mfundo, who lives in Mlanga village, Kongwa, and has spent his entire life tending to his few traditional beehives. Despite his age, he continues his work with a deep love for nature. In 2023, Nature Tanzania supported him with three modern beehives to increase productivity and improve the quality of the honey produced. With the modern beehives, Mr. Mfundo has not only
increased his harvest but also contributed to the conservation of local biodiversity, showcasing
how traditional practices can coexist with sustainable beekeeping. After the first and second honey harvests, in September 2024, Mr. Mfundo expanded his beekeeping project by adding 14 modern beehives, totalling 17 modern beehives.

With his passion for environmental protection, he also advocates against illegal bird killing in the forest. By creating a sanctuary for local wildlife, Mr. Mfundo fosters a harmonious environment where both bees and birds thrive.

Tree planting

On December 4th, 2024, Nature Tanzania organised a tree-planting activity at Ng’hambi
Ward in Mpwapwa District. Three primary schools in the Ng’hambi Ward, namely Ng’hambi,
Mbugani, and Kazania, participated in this nature conservation activity. A total of 1,000
trees of different species were planted, including Trichilia emetica, Casuarina spp, Psidium
guajava, and Syzygium cuminii. This activity aimed to promote environmental conservation
and nature education among the students and to restore the landscape around the school
compounds.